Book 15: Chapter 30

A Princes Missing Phoenix. Kunlun.

I was fixated on the thought that mentoring someone meant welcoming through Mount Daluos doors because I thought under the a.s.sumption that His Majestys primary objective was Mount Daluo, not me. If Boss conjecture was right, then treating them as a guest was sufficient. His Majesty saw me as a weakling, so what reason was there for me to take a Prince on as a Mount Daluo disciple? Plus, His Majesty never mentioned anything about having to train a Prince in martial arts. I never realised this was alternative way of looking at it!

I always knew people working for the government are corrupt. d.a.m.n, that was quick thinking.

Whack! I took an inkstone over the head

Who are you insulting?!

Sorry, sorry, I blurted it out of habit.

It wouldve been discourteous of me to refuse His Majesty, and I wasnt sure what was going on back on Mount Daluo, so I concluded the safest course of action was to agree for the meantime. However, I needed to make it clear that me mentoring someone didnt equal Mount Daluo accepting a disciple. As for whether Id point that out to His Majesty or not, Id obviously drag it out for as long as possible. With all that said, I had circled back to a problem that cropped up since the idea was suggested. Every one of the Princes were a handful.

I still dont understand. Why me? Are you sure hes not setting me up?

Perhaps he thinks youll do a good job?

As our conversation went on, we eventually brought up Feng Qizhi, prompting Boss to give me the filthy look again.

I know that Feng Qizhi you mentioned. Its best for you to stay as far away from him as you can.

I thought that was a given, but I wasnt sure why Boss said that.

He is a decent fighter. Hes only a tad easier to beat than a fly. If hes lucky, he might be able to match some forgettable flies, I opined.

I wasnt insulting him. Never underestimate flies. They were great at dealing with people who tried to swat them. Theyd go up, down, sideways, round in circles, ascend, and dive. The last was the worst to deal with. It was akin to poison. No matter how good you were at expelling poison, it was still poison. Leave it for long enough, and it could cause problems. On the other hand, poison didnt fear itself. Imagine that on a fly that had a strong will to live.

I used to play stab the flies with Chicken Yun back at Wudang with the stipulation of neither of us utilising internal energy. I always lost. Even though I improved, without using internal energy, I was only able to catch eight at most out of ten. I got so mad that I created three sets of qinna techniques and a set of finger skills in Night Net Book, namely, Headless Buzzing Hand, Azure to Cyan Light Severing Loop, and Great Clam Claws, each focusing on either freedom of movement, fluidity or intensity. They combined qinna, palm techniques, and claw techniques. Directionless Fly King Fingers was a deadly set of skills I created whilst drinking and eating in the dead of night at an eatery by a creek. My two fingers would never miss if I used those skills. Even so, I only managed to catch nine out of ten.

In contrast Chicken Yun was able to skewer ten out of ten with his sword to roast if he wanted. I still couldnt figure out how he did it.

Shaking her head and wagging her hand, Boss said, Im not worried hell harm you, but hes special.

Special? Id actually say hes

And hes not right up north.

Thats exactly what I thought!

I mean when I say hes special. Hes not bad as you say, but his luck is as bizarre as it gets. One time, he was challenged to a fight to the death in Beijiang. His opponent was a monster in Beijiang, and the location for their duel was in enemy territory; it was beside a big swamp. He was a level below his opponent and outnumbered, yet Feng Qizhi fearlessly agreed to the duel. Dont you think hes an idiot?

Uh, yeah.

He shouldve perished there, yet he managed to throw his opponent off his game. His opponent had his subordinates hide nearby for an ambush if he was losing.

Dont call a monster despicable. Would someone be called a monster if they werent despicable?

Feng Qizhi didnt show up at the appointed time. He was still nowhere to be seen four hours after the agreed time.

Was he hiding to try and a.s.sa.s.sinate the monster?

It wouldnt have been dishonourable even if he did that since deception was the art of war, not to mention his opponent tried to do the same thing.

His opponent made the same attention, so he never took his eyes off the swamp, fearing Feng Qizhi was hiding deep underneath. His opponent decided to wait on the surface since there was a limit to how long one can hold their breath underwater, but wait and wait, nothing emerged by the time night fell. Having lost his patience, the monster had his subordinates dive in to check it out, and there really wasnt anyone down there.

My man took deception to a new level! He didnt even show up?!

So they didnt even have the match?

No, Feng Qizhi did go there, but he got lost. He was planning to hide in the swamp and a.s.sa.s.sinate his opponent, but he chose to hide farther away on account of maintaining stealth, never expecting to end up hiding in a nearby loo after getting lost. When his annoyed opponent grew sick of waiting and went to the loo, Feng Qizhi soared up from below, slicing his opponent right up the middle.

Put some respect on the mans name. Thats what you call enduring hards.h.i.+p to achieve a goal!

Feng Qizhi couldve formed a group with Second and Sixth to debut. I even had a name ready for them c.r.a.p Digging Trio. I could guarantee it was a name that hadnt been used in two hundred years and wouldnt be used for at least another two hundred years.

Unlike your second brother, hes not just unlucky. Boss scrunched up her face. In addition to having horrible luck, hes not too right up north, so he often contaminates other people with it. Hes special because of his ability to spread his own terrible luck.

Hong Jiu couldnt master that. Although he wasnt healthy right up north, either, he was a smart fellow. Feng Qizhis uncanny ability to make others unlucky was just like just like

Just like you, right?

Hey! Who called me a plague?!

But back on topic. If you can avoid publicising our involvement with him, that would be for the best. The only thing you will get out of that is trouble. Not only is he Blue Princes subordinate for many years, but hes also a descendant of Feng Clan. I a.s.sume you know Feng Clans relations.h.i.+p with Uncle? While he and Brilliant Consort get along now, their marriage was to leverage Feng Clans wealth to begin with. Were not afraid of the wealthiest clan in the world, but itd be better to not make an enemy out of them for something so trivial. Plus, I dont want to put Brilliant Consort in a tough spot.

Were scared of Feng Qizhi? Shes just Brilliant Consort! Tell her Im knocking. I refuse to believe she wouldnt forsake her nephew for me.

Hmph, I was nearly a.s.sa.s.sinated.

Pfft, I meant you beating him is trivial. As for the a.s.sa.s.sination part, you didnt tell me anything about all the attempts on your life while you were defenceless, but its poor me now that you can?

Uh Ive gotten used to it. Thats why I didnt mention every little thing. Besides, I survived, didnt I? Are we really going to ignore Feng Qizhi?

Of course. Boss suddenly frowned. Wait a second. What are you going to do if not ignore? Did you

Yeah! I captured him.

What the h.e.l.l for?! Boss flicked me on the forehead and then took out her inkstone.

Boss! What are you doing?!

I just told you hes trouble, yet you hid him at Liu Shan Men? If anything happens, both of you are going to be sacrificial tributes for a Daoist.

I didnt mean to! I didnt know his background until now.

Before he wakes up, and before he brings us grief, get rid of him. Also! Do not tell anyone we captured him, understood?

Okay, okay.

Seriously, Boss. What plague, trouble, and bad luck. I cant believe you believe in those childish superst.i.tions.

Reporting! Someone from Eight Deities has sent a package over, someone reported outside.

What package? Boss asked.

A sword and a bill for two hundred silvers that is apparently Head Constable Mings.

Wow, the moon outside is so round

Ming Feizhen!